Barbara Giamanco

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Making It Rain in 2019

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

Last week, I was making it rain opportunities through networking and education with over 1,000 sales professionals at SalesLoft’s Rainmaker 2019 conference. SalesLoft, a hometown tech success here in the ATL, launched Rainmaker in 2014. As I was putting this post together, I hopped into my time machine and zipped back to 2015 when I first attended Rainmaker and wrote about my experience that year.

What I realized in reading that 2015 blog post was that the more things change, the more they actually stay the same. Priorities important in 2015 are even more important today, in 2019. For example…

If you are in a sales role, you simply cannot wait around for others to give you everything you need to succeed. Don’t rely solely on your marketing team to understand the characteristics of your ideal buyer. You, the sales rep, need to own and understand the target buyer persona too. More importantly, you should be spending the bulk of your networking/prospecting/sales call time with ONLY those people! Success also relies on honing your skills, so that you can be the best at your craft of selling. That means you need to invest in your own learning and development every single day! Always keep in mind that learners are earners!

Message matters. If you want your outbound sales activity to convert to more sales conversations, YOU MUST PERSONALIZE your messages. Sales pitches fall on deaf ears. If you want a buyer to give you valuable time on their calendar, you better be focused on what they care about more than what you are trying to sell. That means doing your homework, and this is where tools like LinkedIn, the internet, company websites, Twitter, or InsideView can play a huge role in more effective sales messaging. Bottom line – if your message is all about YOU and what YOU SELL, you are doing it all wrong!

The best sellers DO NOT talk about products and services (see my point above).  These sellers don’t ramble on about the features of the products and services they sell. They don’t put buyers to sleep during demos talking about how they do this and why they do that. Especially in the beginning of a new sales relationship, much of that stuff doesn’t matter. Top sellers focus on helping buyers solve business problems that they will pay money to solve. Top sellers know how to ask the RIGHT questions and how to shut up and LISTEN to the answers.

The best sellers understand human behavior. They leverage their ability to clarify and confirm what they know based on up front research before talking to prospects. Validate what you know but don’t “interrogate” buyers during sales calls. Trust me, interrogation is exactly what it feels like to buyers when you insist on walking them through your lengthy discovery process. Instead, respect their precious time by learning much of that information ahead of the meeting. Your sales call will yield much better results!

Top sellers follow a sales process but are smart enough to adapt their approach to fit how the buyer makes purchasing decisions. You might need to eject your assumptions about the buyer’s journey. Even in similar industries, every company has decision making criteria unique to them. If you simply try to force a buyer/buying team to fit your sales process instead to adapting to their purchasing process, you’ll lose more deals than you will win.

Stop listening to experts who are legends in their own minds. Not everything about selling is dead. Nor is there one right way to be successful in selling. I don’t like making ice cold sales calls to strangers not expecting my call. I prefer to use other means to engage buyers first because that is what works for me. But hey, if your cold call activity is converting to a high number of sales calls with qualified buyers, then by all means… DO IT. Every sellers world is going to be unique. You must test, adapt, and test again to determine and consistently utilize what’s right for you.

Relationships in selling STILL matter! This point dovetails the one above. Believe it or not, more than a few self-proclaimed “experts” promote the idea that relationships in selling is dead. During the session I moderated on Social Selling, I asked panelists Samantha McKenna, Kat Charlot and Morgan J. Ingram what they thought about relationships and selling. They all agreed, as did the audience, that developing trusted relationships with targeted buyers is more important than ever. Mock experts trying to get their 15 minutes of fame by trying to be edgy and controversial are not good for our sales profession. In B2B sales, people still buy from people. Regardless how sophisticated technology becomes, I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Building exceptional sales teams drives exceptional sales results. On the morning of Day 3, the panel discussed the elements of building exceptional teams.  These panel leaders didn’t talk about squeezing one more millisecond of productivity out of people with another piece of technology. They talked about being human, embracing change and paying attention to the foundation of sales basics. All three leaders talked about being authentic, genuine, vulnerable human beings who hold themselves and others accountable. And during the conference they were not the only leaders to make clear that a people first focus is what drives success now and in the future.

I will close by giving high praise to the SalesLoft team for their focus on speaker diversity at Rainmaker! Other conference organizers… are you listening?

I am not the only woman in sales tired of virtual sales events, webinars and conferences that are dominated by white guys – of any age – on the speaking stage. Highly engaging, well qualified, diverse speakers are not difficult to find. Event organizers simply must make it a priority to better balance the scales.

There is a lot of chatter right now about “women in sales”… why we need to see more women on sales teams and in leadership roles and why diversity and inclusion initiatives are good for business. But talk is cheap! As my mom said often, “Action speaks louder than words!” I learned that SalesLoft set a goal of 51% speaker diversity for Rainmaker 2019. They achieved 54% with 46% of the conference speakers being women! And for the second year in a row, I moderated the panel discussion at the women’s breakfast that SalesLoft made a part of the conference last year. More on that experience in a separate post. A bias toward action is a core value at SalesLoft, and at Rainmaker 2019 they demonstrated that when it comes to excellence in selling, as well as diversity and inclusion, they walk their talk!

Filed Under: blog, sales Tagged With: BDR, inside sales, leadership, Rainmaker 2019, sales, salesloft, SDR, selling

Opening Executive Level Doors with Caryn Kopp

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this episode, I talked with Caryn Kopp AKA The Chief Door Opener at Kopp Consulting, an Inc 5000 winner, recognized for the Door Opener® Service where they get their clients meetings with high level decision makers in almost every major company. If you want to know how to open doors at the executive level, this is the interview for you!

We covered these questions during my conversation with Caryn:

  • Getting in the door with executive level prospects is one of the most difficult part of the sales process, bar none. I asked Caryn how her team, known for getting executive level meetings for your clients, does it. She shared her success secrets for prior open those doors when other companies and salespeople struggle.
  • Caryn will tell you how to figure out what to say to pique the interest of busy, high-level prospects when they get so many calls and emails from competitors.
  • Personalization is a big buzz word now. Caryn shares her opinions on what works and doesn’t work when it comes to crafting messages that open doors to your targeted prospects.
  • You will learn about the two important elements that have to do with sales that most business leaders get wrong.
  • We also discussed tips on how to hire the right Door Openers for your company.
  • Finally, we talked about a question that comes up all the time…at what point do you just give up on a prospect? Listen to the interview to hear what Caryn has to say about that important question.

Listen and enjoy the interview!

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.179/q7g.56b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WIS_CarynKopp_021819FinalEdits.mp3

 

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen to Episode 43 with Caryn above.

About Caryn:

Caryn Kopp is the Chief Door Opener® at Kopp Consulting, an Inc 5000 winner, recognized for the Door Opener® Service where they get their clients meetings with high level decision makers in almost every major company. A best-selling author, speaker and an expert in Business Development, Caryn can be seen in Inc., Forbes, Newsweek and is a faculty member of Verne Harnish’s Gazelles Growth Institute. Caryn is also the co-author of the best seller Biz Dev Done Right.

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Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform. Join them this March in Atlanta for 3 days of learning, networking, and inspiration at their annual Rainmaker conference! With over 100 speakers and 40 track sessions, their annual Women’s Breakfast and a performance from Grammy winning band Blues Traveler, this conference is not one to miss. Get your tickets today at rainmaker.salesloft.com.

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: csuite, door opening, executive, Kopp Consulting, leadership, Prospecting, sales, selling

Bringing Your Authentic Self to Sales

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this interview, I talked with Amanda Georgoff, Enterprise Sales Rep at SalesLoft. She has 15+ years of frontline experience selling software and services to CFOs, CMOs, Heads of Sales and other functional executives at F500 companies across her time at SalesLoft, Xactly and CEB (now Gartner).

Our topic focus was about bringing our personal authenticity to our interactions with future and current customers. Being real and being you opens the door to strong relationships and better sales conversations. Decision makers can feel the insincerity of the reps focused solely on achieving quota.

Here is what I wanted to know when I sat down to talk to Amanda:

How Amanda defines personal authenticity.

The moment that Amanda first realized being more authentic in her conversations with potential customers was important.

She told me about the manager who “coached” her how to relax the scripted version of herself – the person she thought she was supposed to be – in sales calls. Amanda talked about the questions her manager/coach asked her that led to her making the shift to being more authentic.

You’ll find out when you listen to the interview, how Amanda realized that putting herself in the buyer’s shoes and raising questions or possible concerns they might be thinking about became a competitive advantage for her.

More than a few training companies insist that we (sellers) should NEVER bring up a potential problem, issue or objection that the buyer might have before they do. Amanda and I talked about how this assumption is a myth that doesn’t work against you. Amanda shared examples of what really happens when you bring up issues or concerns you think the buyer might be having.

We also talked about helping buyers stay engaged during our sales meetings with them. Let’s face it, we all know that buyers sometimes check out during our sales calls. Amanda discusses her strategy for re-engaging buyers when this happens.

Finally, we closed by talking about the advice Amanda has for women in sales roles who worry about being themselves for fear they’ll be described as “soft”, “weak”, “touchy feely”, and as a result try to act more like the guys.

BTW – Meet up with Amanda, me, 100+ speakers, and over 1,500 sales professionals at the upcoming Rainmaker 2019 Conference in Atlanta in March. REGISTER HERE

As always, another insightful interview! Listen and enjoy!

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.179/q7g.56b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WIS_AmandaGeorgoff_SalesLoft2018-Final021219.mp3

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen to the recording above.

About Amanda:

Amanda Georgoff is an Enterprise Sales Rep at SalesLoft; she has 15+ years of frontline experience selling software and services to CFOs, CMOs, Heads of Sales and other functional executives at F500 companies across her time at SalesLoft, Xactly and CEB (now Gartner). Amanda is known for taking a consultative, insight-based approach to selling, consistently over-performs quota and has won multiple Presidents/Chairmans Club awards. She loves working directly with customers, adores her team, and was skeptical of using video in meetings before she tried it. Amanda resides in Austin, TX with her husband, Michael, her son Gray (2.5 years) and baby girl Hayes (5 months). Her favorite Queso is from Torchys Tacos.

Connect on LinkedIn
Website

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform. Join them this March in Atlanta for 3 days of learning, networking, and inspiration at their annual Rainmaker conference! With over 100 speakers and 40 track sessions, their annual Women’s Breakfast and a performance from Grammy winning band Blues Traveler, this conference is not one to miss. Get your tickets today at rainmaker.salesloft.com.

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: authenticity, Rainmaker 2019, sales, salesloft, selling, women

Getting to the Top 1%

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this interview, I talked with Cynthia Barnes who is recognized as one of the world’s most influential Women in Sales Thought Leaders. The former Top 1% saleswoman founded the National Association of Women Sales Professionals, the world’s only organization dedicated to helping its members reach the Top 1% and Dance on the Glass Ceiling™.

Cynthia is someone that I’ve admired for some time now. I admire her positive, fearless, can do attitude, and I very much appreciate all the work she does to support women in business.

When I talked with Cynthia I wanted to find out:

Why we need women-centric sales training and professional development.

What the biggest mistake Cynthia sees women sales professionals making.

What can managers and leaders can and must do to create a workplace where women in sales thrive.

Why Cynthia started started NAWSP (National Association of Women Sales Professionals.

Finally, we closed by talking about what Cynthia believes the future holds for women in sales and leadership roles.

Cynthia and her organization host #WomenInSales events around the country. To check out upcoming events in your city or one near one, check out the Ascend 2019 schedule HERE.

As always, another insightful interview! Listen and enjoy!

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.179/q7g.56b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WIS_cynthiabarnes_121418_Final021419.mp3

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen to the recording above.

About Cynthia:

Cynthia Barnes who is recognized as one of the world’s most influential Women in Sales Thought Leaders. The former Top 1% saleswoman founded the National Association of Women Sales Professionals, the world’s only organization dedicated to helping its members reach the Top 1% and Dance on the Glass Ceiling™.

Cynthia’s unique understanding of what it takes for women in sales excel has made her a sought-after influencer on women-centric sales training and coaching, having appeared in over 250 major media outlets around the nation – including appearances in the Wall Street Journal.

Connect on LinkedIn
Website

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform. Join them this March in Atlanta for 3 days of learning, networking, and inspiration at their annual Rainmaker conference! With over 100 speakers and 40 track sessions, their annual Women’s Breakfast and a performance from Grammy winning band Blues Traveler, this conference is not one to miss. Get your tickets today at rainmaker.salesloft.com.

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: leadership, sales, sales leadership, selling, women

Sales Success Requires Listening

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this interview, I talked with Dana Dupuis – the founder of ECHO Listening Intelligence.  Dana is also the co-creator of a proprietary listening assessment called the ECHO Listening Profile (ECHO = Effective Communication for Healthy Organizations), which has been instrumental in reshaping communication with sales teams, executives and across full company cultures.

The old adage about having 2 ears and 1 mouth makes a lot of sense, especially when it comes to selling. Since our job as sellers is to solve problems for our prospects and customers, listening is a key component of being successful in selling. Unfortunately, too often salespeople talk more than listen. That can happen either because salespeople are new, nervous or not properly trained. The great art of listening is not the same as hear and how listening works is largely misunderstood.

Dana will be joining me for a webinar about listening on March 5. Get details and REGISTER HERE for this complimentary session!

Okay, on to the podcast interview. Dana and I talked about:

Why is listening such an important component in sales.

What makes it difficult for salespeople to practice listening.

Dana’s background in building sales teams, why she left sales to study listening, and how that journey led her to bring back what she learned about listening and selling. Listen to the interview the MOST important thing you need to know about listening and sales.

How listening works. It may not be what you think! I know I was surprised.

Dana also talks about how all of us listen “to” and “for” different information, as well as the many different ways we listen.

Finally, I asked Dana why it is that you can been in a meeting with multiple people, yet everyone there may leave having heard something different. Dana told me why what we say is often misunderstood, misinterpreted or changed depending on the listener.

By the way, Dana made this SPECIAL OFFER Until April 2019: Dana offered my podcast listeners the opportunity to take the ECHO Learning assessment with her compliments.
Send her email to: dana@echolistening.com    In the subject line include: Women in Sales Podcast with Barb FREE Assessment Link

As always, another insightful interview! Listen and enjoy!

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.179/q7g.56b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WIS_DanaDupris_110218-Final.mp3

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen to the recording above.

About Dana

With over 20 years of experience in sales and management consulting, leadership development and building healthy corporate cultures, Dana Dupuis knows the importance of good communication.

Dana is the founder of ECHO Listening Intelligence and the co-creator of a proprietary listening assessment called the ECHO Listening Profile (ECHO = Effective Communication for Healthy Organizations), which has been instrumental in reshaping communication with sales teams, executives and across full company cultures. By understanding that each individual listens “to” and “for” different kinds of information, companies can greatly enhance their ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. It is upon this concept that Dana’s work is based.

Connect on LinkedIn 

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform. Join them this March in Atlanta for 3 days of learning, networking, and inspiration at their annual Rainmaker conference! With over 100 speakers and 40 track sessions, their annual Women’s Breakfast and a performance from Grammy winning band Blues Traveler, this conference is not one to miss. Get your tickets today at rainmaker.salesloft.com.

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: communication, effectiveness, leadership, listening, sales, selling, women

How to be Human in Sales. Bots haven’t taken over yet!

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this interview, I talked with Amy Volas, Founder and CEO of Avenue Talent Partners about why relationships STILL MATTER in selling, and frankly, in life.

I’m known for saying – okay, harping about – that technology only ENABLES process. It doesn’t build people relationships for you. It doesn’t sell for you. Never has. Never will.

Yes, I know. Everyone loves the hacks. Or, the idea of them anyway. People cannot resist the urge to believe in mythical short-cuts, which DO NOT exist in selling. Today, it is even tougher to reach buyers. They are done with the corny pitches, cheesy close lines and lazy messaging that is self-serving adding absolutely no value to their day. And, salespeople wonder why no one wants to talk to them.

You say your sales manager makes you do it?

Your message isn’t researched or well thought out because your boss demands X number of calls made and emails sent? Well, you’ll want to get over that right now! Checking the box so you keep your manager happy isn’t how you own responsibility for your own career and selling success.

YOU are responsible for your own sales success.

If your activity isn’t generating enough sales meetings, it is time to look in the mirror. Your message and approach is likely the culprit. No matter how many prospecting touches you are expected to make, it is up to you to take the reins and change how you present yourself.

If your activity levels drop but you book more sales conversations with qualified buyers, you are in a good position to show your manager that quality FIRST (relationships + value message focused on solving buyer’s problems) + quantity wins out every time!

This is WHY relationships matter!

I don’t know when the chatter started but lately I have heard more than a few people insisting that relationships don’t matter in selling. I beg to differ. I don’t know that I ever met a buyer who bought from someone they didn’t know, trust and like. I suppose if you sell a widget that no one else in the world makes AND the company you are selling too cannot live without that product, okay. You can probably get away with not developing the kind of trusting relationship that leads to a prospect becoming a customer who stays with you for life. I have also heard from experts that prospects don’t have to like you to buy from you. With 25+ years of successful B2B Enterprise, SMB and Mid-Market in a variety of industries, plus Retail, Distribution and Channel Partner selling under my belt, I have to say B.S. to that idea. Do you buy from people you don’t like? I’m not talking about buying a book on Amazon. If you sell B2B, the higher the financial investment a buyer (buying team) needs to make, the more likability, along with trust and relationship matter.

Which is why Amy and I talked about how bots are not going to take over, though they are trying. 

In this interview, learn why:

With all the noise becoming louder about AI and bots in selling, the human element and interpersonal relationships matter even more. You’ll hear from Amy why she suggested the topic of our conversation.

Both Amy and I believe that technology simply helps to open the door, if done right. As I already mentioned, in B2B selling, in particular, human beings are a big part of the equation. Amy and I discussed a few of the ways that humans can make an immediate impact on the sales/buying process.

I asked Amy if relationships make a difference depending on the type of account: SMB to enterprise sales. Listen to the interview to find out!

Scale is always a question for sellers managing large geographic patches. Amy shared her perspective on how to scale, build relationships and manage a big territory with high activity numbers.

Given that Amy is in the talent business (people biz for the unenlightened), I asked her about the general thinking with respect to AI and bots in her industry.

Another insightful interview, if I do say so myself. 🙂 Listen and enjoy!

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.179/q7g.56b.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WIS_amyvolas_121418-Final021119.mp3

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen to the recording above.

About Amy:

Amy Volas, Founder and CEO of Avenue Talent Partners. She is a sales fanatic turned entrepreneur, bitten by the startup bug many moons ago and couldn’t imagine spending her time anywhere else. She created Avenue Talent Partners to help with the tremendous task of growing startups through one of their most valuable assets—salespeople. When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her cat, dog, and husband—in that order (jokes). Connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.  Website: Talent Avenue Partners

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

SalesLoft, the leading sales engagement platform. Join them this March in Atlanta for 3 days of learning, networking, and inspiration at their annual Rainmaker conference! With over 100 speakers and 40 track sessions, their annual Women’s Breakfast and a performance from Grammy winning band Blues Traveler, this conference is not one to miss. Get your tickets today at rainmaker.salesloft.com.

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: marketing, Prospecting, recruiting, relationships, sales, selling

Are Buyers Freezing You Out?

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

I read a LinkedIn post recently that focused on the many complaints about cold calling and sales spam being talked about online. What struck me most was the author’s complaint that people publicly post the “negative” examples of sales spam they receive. She only wants us to share “positive” sales messages that work. And, yes, I’m rolling my eyes as I type those words.

In my observation, I believe we have more than a few sellers in sales today whose skin is a tad too thin. They don’t want to hear criticism even if it would benefit them to listen and learn.

I would love to share more examples of positive sales messaging, but I cannot remember the last time I received one. I’ve asked my networks to share examples they’ve received. Crickets. And why don’t we see more positive examples of great sales messaging? They largely don’t exist!

Go ahead. Ask 10 decision makers yourself when they can remember the last time they received a sales message that made them say… sure, I’ll free up time on my calendar to talk to that person.

I AM one of those people who posts about sales spam and implores sellers and their managers to do better.

Listen, I don’t shame people but I feel absolutely justified in sharing examples of sales messages that, as a collective whole, make our profession look bad. They certainly don’t achieve positive sales results.

CSO Insights reported that of the two main challenges sales leaders confirm gives them heartburn, the most pressing is the lack of qualified leads in the pipeline. Properly qualifying leads is the subject for another day. The point of this post is to reinforce that you cannot expect to increase your percentage of leads if prospects won’t talk to you.

This is why sales message and approach is all the more critical!

You have no hope of engaging buyers in sales conversations if they simply ignore you. Sales spam is an epidemic and as much the responsibility of individual sales contributors, as it is sales managers.

First, sales managers are typically more focused on QUANTITY of activity than the QUALITY of the activity. You need both.

Second, reps are mostly focused on hitting the activity NUMBER assigned them. They sacrifice QUALITY too.

Here is a real-world example to illustrate why buyers are freezing you out.

Four different sales reps at two different companies contacted me via phone calls and email last week. I had 2 voicemails each from 2 reps at one company, plus their 2 emails each. The other company had 2 reps contact me and each of those reps sent 2 emails each.

Are you keeping up with the math here?

  • 4 voicemails and 4 emails from Company A.
  • 4 emails from Company B.

That’s 4 voicemails and 8 emails over a 3-day time period. From only two companies!

Twelve missed opportunities to demonstrate credibility and value to me – the prospect. Perhaps the worst part of this example is that these reps wasted their effort on someone who will never buy what they sell, which a few minutes of research would have told them.

Not a single one of those messages were compelling enough for me to care, although one email was bad enough that I sent feedback to the rep who was snarky in their reply that they were doing just fine with their approach. When their commission check bottoms out, and it will, maybe they will change their tune and listen.

With all this activity taking place, sales leaders seem confused as to why their sales reps aren’t getting anywhere. They don’t seem to understand that it is the sales message NOT the activity itself that is the problem.

Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.

The math gets even worse when hundreds of other salespeople target the same prospects with similar sales spam about their products. And I’m only talking about the overload of initial sales outreach. Many sellers have a cadence of sales activity cued up with the same pointless messaging like – “did you get my last message?” – going out as many as 4, 5, 6, 7 times after the initial attempt at contacting someone. Is it any wonder that decision makers avoid salespeople until they absolutely cannot avoid it any longer?

And what is this business of having multiple reps from your company contact the same prospects with the same spam message within hours of each other? I simply do not understand the thinking behind this approach. Multiple salespeople hounding the same prospect more often will not win them over. Ever.

Isn’t it time for the insanity to stop?

Many of us DO provide examples of how to craft better sales messages. We are also the same people providing examples of how to improve other aspects of the overall selling process – in blog posts, on webinars, in interviews, in workshops, in books, on speaking stages, in consulting and training gigs.

Unfortunately, so much of the wisdom about how to improve sales results simply falls on deaf ears.

Either because it is easier to stay stuck in what’s not working than change OR

Reps feel they just have to do what their manager tells them to do even though they know better OR

Sales managers are unwilling to accept that times have changed and what used to work now doesn’t OR

People don’t want to do the work it will take to learn new habits that get better results, which gets back to point #1… it is easier to stay stuck and complain.

If you are in a sales role today, working to be the best version of yourself in that role requires constantly improving your skills and adapting to an ever changing business climate.

I started this post by talking about a salesperson, who isn’t the only one, that doesn’t feel negative criticism about people’s sales performance is fair. And, while I agree that how criticism is delivered makes a difference, I say that maybe it is time to toughen up, accept the reality that what you are doing isn’t working and let the tough love sink in.

To the individual sales contributors, I’m empathetic to the fact that there are things beyond your control when you work for someone else. I get that… and…

Ultimately, YOU are responsible for your sales success. If your activity isn’t generating enough sales meetings on your calendar, your message and approach is likely the culprit. Even if someone else is writing the message to send, but you know it isn’t working, it is up to you to be bold and change how you present yourself regardless how many prospecting touches you are expected to make.

If you do less calls but book more sales conversations with qualified buyers, you are in a good position to show your manager that quality plus quantity wins every time.

People are complaining about sales spam for a reason. It is a problem!

No salesperson is owed a pat on the back and a trophy just for showing up at work every day. Learn to accept the tough love and be open to learning from it. Your sales success depends on it!

Filed Under: blog, More Favorites Tagged With: cold calling, ice, management, message, sales, SDR, selling, spam

The Sales Leader's Role in Complex Selling with Alice Heiman, Alice Heiman, LLC

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In this episode (#35), we talk about The Sales Leader’s Role in the Complex Sale. I think this is an important conversation because it seems to me that you want a balance. Reps have a job to do, which includes closing the business, and at certain points in big deals they may need to bring in bigger guns to help move the opportunity along.
My guest today is Alice Heiman CEO and Founder of Alice Heiman, LLC. Alice and her team helps SMB companies drive sales growth by incorporating the newest research and the best practices to enable CEOs, business owners and sales leaders to bring about sustainable change that leads to growth.
As with so many of my guests, I asked Alice what led her to pursue a career in sales?
Then we discussed the following questions:

  1. Alice you have a different role in the sales world than most of the people we talk to. Alice told me more about what she does.
  2. What are the struggles that company leaders are having with sales?
  3. What is the role of a company leader in sales?
  4. How can a company leader determine if they have a sales culture that will produce the result they need?
  5. How can a company leader build a great sales culture?
  6. What’s the number one thing that a company leader can do to ensure their company gets the sales growth they need?

Another insight packed interview, which I encourage you to listen to and enjoy!
Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.
Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen HERE
About Alice:
Alice demonstrates how sales performance is directly related to a leader’s mindset. When sales leaders change the way they work with sales teams, results are immediate and dramatic.
The Alice Heiman, LLC team helps small and midsize companies drive sales growth by incorporating the newest research and best practices to enable CEOs, business owners and sales leaders to bring about sustainable change that leads to growth.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 
Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: b2b, ceo, complex, medium business, owner, sales, selling, Small Business

Making a Difference in Your Sales Career with Lori Richardson, Women Sales Pros & Score More Sales

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

Today’s topic is focused on how to make a difference in your sales career. This is a great topic because proactively taking charge and managing your career path should be your top priority. Don’t sit on the sidelines waiting for your good work to be noticed!! There is some great career advice offered up in this interview. Soak it in and put the ideas into practice!!
My guest is Lori Richardson who heads up Women Sales Pros and Score More Sales. Lori is one of the original voices for more women in sales and sales leadership in B2B industries where there are male-majority sales teams. She speaks, writes and consults with companies on ways to find, hire, develop and retain women within sales and she also speaks directly to women about ways to rise within their organization. Find her @WomenSalesPros online, on Twitter, Instagram, FB, and LinkedIn.
Okay, buckle up. These are the questions Lori and I tackled.
Lori, you like me, have been in sales for a long time. What’s so great about a sales career?
How do you find what you call, “Salesvana”?
How do you decide what direction to go in your sales career?
How do you present an idea to management for a new role, division, or sales segment?
What if you feel that your manager does not respect you or your ideas?
What if your company leadership or immediate manager does not talk about a formal career path?
If you want to write job posts that really compel people to take a look at your organization, Lori mentioned this great resource!  https://textio.com/
Another insight packed interview, which I encourage you to listen to and enjoy!
Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.
Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen HERE
Thanks to our Sponsors!
This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 
Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: career, leadership, management, sales, selling

Your Networking Strategy Drive Sales Success with Ryann Dowdy, iFocus Marketing

By Barbara Giamanco Leave a Comment

In sales, networking never goes out of style. But are you getting the most from your efforts? In this interview I talk with Ryann Dowdy, Director of Sales at iFocus Marketing about the best approaches to achieving sales success through networking.

These are the topics that Ryann and I discussed.

Why networking is so important. In sales, and in career development.

The key to success in networking. Hint: it isn’t running around throwing out business cards!

Find out if networking with women is different than networking with men.

Tips for putting your own networking group together, if your community doesn’t have what you’re looking for.

Ways to utilize LinkedIn to build your network.

The best way to connect with someone you don’t know, but want to connect with?

Enjoy the interview!

Apple Podcasts  – Please subscribe so that you never miss an episode! Write a review for the podcast if you like the interviews.

Spotify  Stitcher  Google Play   Don’t use any of these platforms to listen? Listen HERE

About Ryann

Ryann Dowdy is the Director of Sales at iFocus Marketing, a digital marketing agency in Overland Park, Kansas – part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Ryann’s career has progressed from an individual contributor to sales trainer and coach, to sales leader. She’s passionate about developing sales talent and coaching her sales team by both in-field and in-office/class room coaching. Her experience as a sales rep turned leader helps her advocate for her team internally and position her reps to win! Ryann believes that building your own network is the key to sales success and long-term career development.

Connect on LinkedIn

Thanks to our Sponsors!

This podcast is presented by our Elite Sponsor, Microsoft. Corporate Vice President and Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, along with other female leaders in the company, are driving for change, trying to bring more women into the technology industry. Gavriella and Microsoft are committed to giving “young women better role models and a stronger voice to all women.” You can hear more from Gavriella and other Microsoft leaders, on the Microsoft Partner Network podcast. Or visit partner.microsoft.com 

Thanks to our Media Sponsor. Women Sales Pros has a vision for more women in B2B sales and sales leadership roles where there are currently male-majority sales teams. We help educate companies on how to do this, and we champion women on what a professional sales career can be. We also showcase the very top women sales experts who are speakers, authors, consultants, trainers and coaches. People can sign up to get updates HERE and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WomenSalesPros

Filed Under: blog, Women In Sales Tagged With: career development, linkedin, Networking, sales, selling, social selling

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